xxxI woke up from a never-ending dream
xxxI shut my eyes at 17
xxxI lost every moment in between
xxxI felt the sun rise up and swallow me
He had resigned himself to sulking in a corner with a strong drink, both wanting to leave and feeling like he couldnāt, that doing that would only make things worse and the Order would reconsider their decision, handing it over to someone else instead. Maybe that would be for the best. Eden was so lost in his thoughts and his insecurity that he didnāt notice the stranger making her entrance. In fact, it was only when the DJās equipment exploded, nearly shattering everyoneās eardrums, that Eden even realised there was anything wrong. He glanced up at the woman on the stage. Immediately, all of Edenās emotions shifted and intensified, feeling like the fear was constricting his chest and threatening to cut off his air supply.
Ethel was the first to fall at the womanās hands. Eden found himself backing away, searching for an exit and still somehow unable to move further than a step or two. He was scanning the room, looking for the others. Where were they? Kai had only been there seconds before and he was gone. Jupiter, Shi, Otto, he couldnāt make them out in the crowd. Were they okay? Were they in danger? Were they already hurt?
Then the stranger called for the New Order. Edenās blood ran cold. He knew what she intended to do with them. Her presence practically oozed danger and death. She was not here to welcome them. She was here to destroy them and to end them. He caught Lizaās eye for the first time all night. But the only thing shared between them was a mutual understanding. To move would be to die. Eden nodded ever so slightly in understanding.
And then the old Order stepped forward to fight her. And like their headmistress before them, they fell, one by one, with Jupiterās grandfather being the last to fall. Eden was rooted to the spot with fear. If the Old Order had fallen so quickly, what chance did they have? They couldnāt hope to defeat her. They were staring their death in the face. How long would did they have before she figured them out? How long would it be before they were all killed? And then a voice cut through the silence. Liza. Eden had to stop himself from calling out, telling her no.
He couldnāt do anything but watch Liza fight. He didnāt dare move for fear heād be targeted or heād distract Liza. Liza put up a good fight. Of course she did, she always did. But the stranger had decimated the old order in seconds; they were too young and inexperienced. They didnāt stand a chance, even Liza.
Lizaās cries of pain and terror finally motivated Eden to move, beginning to run, feeling the need to do something. It looked like he was too late, and he once again skidded to a stop, the familiar paralysis of fear setting in. The stranger kneeled beside Lizaās unmoving form, and Eden found himself holding his breath for fear even his breath would give him away. He saw the woman putting a hand to her side, and it came away bloody. And then, with an ominous warning, she was gone.
Edenās legs buckled with relief, and he caught himself as he hit the floor, just sinking to his knees. He couldnāt tear his eyes off Liza though. Liza had been brilliant. She had been talented and more skilled than Eden ever felt he was. And she had fallen to this woman. What hope did he have?
He didnāt know how long he was there, frozen, before panic kicked in. Where were the others? Were they okay? Were they dead? Panic set in as he began to scan the room frantically, looking for his friends.